The priority at Zespri® is satisfying their consumers all over the world with quality kiwis that guarantee a high nutritional value and optimum organoleptic properties
Top quality is the seal of identity for all the varieties marketed: Zespri Green, ZespriSunGold, along with their organic versions. For this reason, Zespri® has designed a comprehensive quality system, called the Zespri system, which regulates each step from production and harvesting, to storage and transport of all the different varieties of kiwis. It is essential that Zespri® kiwis meet the strictest quality and environmental standards, and for this reason, all their farmers and associates in the supply chain must follow all the requirements laid down in the Zespri® System.
Accordingly, amongst other aspects, they concentrate on a very careful selection of the land. To obtain a healthy plant, healthy soil is needed. The soil must be fertile, slightly acid and damp. Additionally, if the plants need extra water, producers never water the entire field, just the roots. Also, due to this unique supervision system, they try to strictly limit the use of herbicides.
Regarding the harvest, an external laboratory evaluates the optimum harvest time for each plantation. It is very important for the fruit to be harvested in the same ripening phase in order to obtain a uniform product, which always has the same flavour and the best preservation properties.
Another of their quality and environmentally friendly standards consists of reusing the wood waste from the bushes and turning it into fertilizer for the plants. If necessary, they also use other types of fertilizers that do not have any impact on the environment.
Principles of the Zespri® comprehensive quality system
This system is much more than just a production process. With the Zespri® System they are completely committed to the research and development of new technologies to continue improving their operating methods throughout the entire supply chain.
Their philosophy, based on continuous improvement, along with their service, sales support and response capacity to client requests, are the key elements to establish and consolidate long term alliances and collaborations with farmers, clients and suppliers.
At Zespri®, quality must not only be found in the end product aimed at consumers, it must also form part of the company’s corporate values and work philosophy. Therefore, at Zespri®, they are concerned not only about obtaining top quality kiwis and reducing environmental impact; they are also concerned about their relations with collaborators and the well-being of their workers, amongst other aspects.
